The offseason is over – at least for a month – as Rutgers
officially returns to the field next Tuesday for spring practice.

Since Rutgers' season ended with a Pinstripe Bowl loss to
Notre Dame in late December, the coaching staff has undergone a major overhaul.
After getting acquainted over the past few weeks, the new assistants will have
a chance to see the players in action on the practice field.

The players have spent most of the past three months working
out to prepare for the program's move to the Big Ten next season. It's the most anticipated season in Rutgers history and there are plenty of
questions that need to be answered from now until kickoff in the season opener
at Washington State on Aug. 28.

Conceivably every position is up for grabs in the offseason,
and there will be plenty of opportunities for movement on the depth chart
behind established starters. But some starting positions are more wide open,
and in the week leading up to the start of spring practice, I'm going to break
down Rutgers' five biggest position battles this offseason.

Breakdown: It's safe to pencil Darius Hamilton and Djwany
Mera into starting spots at defensive tackle and defensive end, respectively.
Both players made leaps last season, starting every game they played.

Look for a big junior year from Hamilton, who came on strong
at the end of last season. This is an important offseason for Hamilton, as
he'll need to prove he's ready to be a three-down player in the Big Ten. Mera
was quietly solid at defensive end in his first season as a contributor. If he
continues his development, the junior-to-be could be a force next season.

Beyond Hamilton and Mera there are big question marks and
possibly exciting answers, considering the promise some of the young players
have displayed. Among the experienced returning players, Quanzell Lambert appears
in line to fill the rush-end position filled by Marcus Thompson last
season. Lambert appeared in 11 games last season as a redshirt freshman after
transitioning from linebacker. But he could be pushed be a pair of intriguing
young players who seem poised to make an impact.

Kemoko Turay came to
Rutgers as a project, and it will be interesting to see how much he progressed during
his redshirt freshman season. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Turay didn't play
football until his senior year of high school but already has impressed
teammates with flashes of potential. Rutgers desperately needs more of a
pass rush, and it would be a major development if one or both of the young
defensive ends emerge this offseason.

It will likely be a two-man completion for the nose tackle
position manned by Isaac Holmes last season. Kenneth Kirksey should be the
favorite for the starting job, assuming he's fully recovered from the triceps
injury that ended his season in September. Daryl Stephenson appeared in 13
games as a reserve last season and could push for a bigger role.

Other players in the defensive line mix include David
Milewski and Sebastian Joseph. The 250-pound Milewski admirably moved to
defensive tackle last season, but the senior is undersized for the position and
would likely benefit from a shift back to end. Listed at 270 pounds last
season, Joseph looks the part and has only added to an impressive physique
during the offseason. Now it's time for him to translate his work in the weight
room to the field. He's behind Hamilton on the depth chart, but with
players rotating frequently on the defensive line he'll be able to find playing
time if he show he's ready.

Eric Wiafe enrolled early and will be the only freshman
defensive lineman on campus. It's highly unlikely that any of the first-year
defensive linemen will contribute next season.